Drop-in anchor

ABSTRACT

A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to anchor systems. Morespecifically, the subject disclosure relates to drop in anchors.

Drop-in anchors for use in, for example, fastening items to masonry,typically include a sleeve, which is placed in a pre-drilled hole. Aplug is driven into an expandable portion of the sleeve which, whenexpanded, secures the sleeve in the hole. Items may be secured to themasonry via a threaded end of the sleeve opposite the expandable portionof the sleeve.

In typical drop-in anchors, the plug is frustoconically shaped therebyproviding an outer surface substantially matching an inwardly taperinginner wall of the sleeve. This has always been, understandably thoughtto be the most efficient configuration for a drop-in anchor as theangled surfaces have been understood to work with each other to garnerthe desired effect while using the angle to make insertion as easy as itcan be. Nevertheless, drop-in anchors of the prior art requiresubstantial setting force, normally obtained by the application of arelatively large number of blows with a sledge hammer. The art wouldwell receive a drop-in anchor requiring a lower setting force to set theplug and expand the sleeve.

SUMMARY

A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistantmember insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to beretained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve toprevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve.

A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first endincluding one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. Aplug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven intoan installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainerformed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in thesleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeveby the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plugfrom the sleeve.

A method of assembling a drop-in anchor includes providing a tubularsleeve, the sleeve having a first end including one or more internalthreads, and an expandable second end, and inserting a plug into thefirst end of the tubular sleeve. A durable, moisture-resistant retaineris inserted into the first end behind the plug. An outer periphery ofthe retainer is engaged with the threads to prevent inadvertent removalof the plug from the sleeve.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a drop-in anchor;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a drop-in anchorwith the plug in an installed position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a drop-in anchorincluding a retainer;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a drop-inanchor including a retainer;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of a retainer;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an installationtool;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an installationtool configured for drilling;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an installationtool configured to drive a plug; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a drop-inanchor.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an improved drop-in anchor 10. The anchor 10 includesa sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 is substantially tubular and is radiallyexpandable at an expansion end 14. To achieve the expandability, thesleeve 12 includes one or more expansion openings 16 or other similarstructure allowing diametric increase of the sleeve at the expansion end14 extending from the expansion end 14 partially along a length 18 ofthe sleeve 12. An inner wall 20 in one embodiment of the sleeve 12includes threads 22 at a threaded end 24 opposite the expansion end 14to receive a threaded fastener (not shown) to secure desired items tothe anchor 10 once the anchor is installed in, for example, concretemasonry. It is to be understood that although it is common for drop-intype anchors to bear box threads (i.e. threads at an inside surface ofthe sleeve 12) it is also possible to place the threads 22 at an outsidesurface of the sleeve 12 providing the sleeve 12 is configured to extendbeyond a surface of the masonry (proud of the surface of the masonry)when installed.

The anchor 10 includes a plug 26, which is insertable into the sleeve 12from the threaded end 24. In some embodiments, a diameter of the sleeve12 at the expansion end 98 is such that the plug 26 is only insertablein the sleeve 12 from the threaded end. An inner diameter 28 of thesleeve tapers in an expansion portion 98 or decreases at a sleeve angle30 from the threaded end 24 to the expansion end 14 so that the plug 26is in an interference fit with the sleeve 12 in the expansion portion98, so that when the plug 26 is driven toward the expansion end 14, theexpansion portion 98 expands to secure the sleeve 12 in the concretemasonry. In some embodiments, the expansion end 14 includes asubstantially cylindrical end portion 96 having a diameter 28, The plug26 has a tip end 32 located closest to the expansion end 14 and a headend 34 located closest to the threaded end 24, and in some embodimentsmay be substantially cylindrical from the tip end 32 to the head end 34.In other embodiments, the plug 26 has a slight taper at a plug angle 36from the head end 34 to the tip end 32.

The plug angle 36 and the sleeve angle 30 are substantially dissimilar,with the sleeve angle 30 being greater than the plug angle 36, such thata contact area 38 between the plug 26 and the sleeve 12 is reduced overthat of prior art drop-in anchors. In some embodiments, the contact 38may be substantially an annular, planar contact 38. A difference betweensleeve angle 30 and the plug angle 36 determines the size of the contactarea 38. In some embodiments, the difference between the sleeve angle 30and the plug angle 36 is about 1 degree or greater, for example 1.5degrees. This assures a minimal contact area 38 between the sleeve 12and the plug 26. Reduction of the contact area 38 reduces frictionbetween the sleeve 12 and the plug 26 thereby reducing an amount offorce required to set the plug 26 in an installed position 40, shown inFIG. 2. Once the plug 26 is driven to the installed position 40,however, the difference between the sleeve angle 30 and the plug angle36 is substantially zero due to the deformation of the expansion portion98. In some embodiments, the tapered portion of the plug 26 is locatedat the cylindrical end portion 96 when in the installed position 40 soas not to limit full expansion of the sleeve 12 when the plug 26 isdriven to the installed position 40.

In some embodiments, the friction is reduced enough such that the plug26 may be driven into the installed position 40 by a number of blowswith a sledge hammer or even a standard 16 or 20 ounce hammer that issubstantially fewer than was necessary in the prior art. Moreover, insome embodiments, a conventional rotary hammer drill (not shown) maybeemployed to successfully set the drop-in anchor without the use of anyother driving means. It is to be appreciated, however, that any suitablesetting tool may be utilized. These embodiments may include thosebetween about ¼″ and ¾″ in diameter. Further, because of the lack oftaper in the plug 26, when the plug 26 is driven toward the expansionend 14 the plug 26 deforms the material of the expansion portion 98directly radially outwardly in contrast to prior art tapered plugs 26 inwhich the sleeve material bends around the taper of the plug. Thisresults in an expanded sleeve 12 which has a substantially linear outersurface of the expansion portion 98. This linear outer surface sleeve 12increases ultimate loads which the drop-in anchor 10 is capable ofwithstanding, when compared to a prior art anchor having a tapered plugof similar maximum diameter.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the tip end 32 of the plug 26 may include achamfer 42. The chamfer 42 is included to encourage the plug 26 to moveinto the installed position 40 more easily by preventing the plug 26from snagging on the inner wall 20 of the sleeve 12 when driven. Thechamfer 42 is small enough such that no expansion is lost due to thereduction in diameter of the plug 26 due to the presence of the chamfer42. Further, in some embodiments, the plug 26 is driven into theinstalled position 40 such that chamfer 42 is located in the cylindricalend portion 96 to preserve maximum expansion of the sleeve 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, some embodiments include a retainer 44. Theretainer 44 is inserted into the sleeve 12 from the threaded end 24after the plug 26 is inserted, to prevent the plug 26 from inadvertentlybeing removed from the sleeve 12 before the plug 26 is driven to set thedrop-in anchor 10. More specifically, since the plug 26 is looselydeposited in the sleeve 12, it is not only possible but common for theplug 26 to fall out of the sleeve 12 either in shipping, storage, orjust prior to deployment. Such departure of the plug 26 is at least anuisance and possibly could impact efficiency or success at a job siteif the plug 26 is not easily found. The retainer 44 is positioned withinthe sleeve 12 so that exit of the plug 26 is prevented and may in someinstances be urged into the sleeve 12 to a depth therein that preventsor impedes movement of the plug 26 to any appreciable degree. Limitationof movement of the plug 26 as such has the added benefit of reducingnoise associated with jostling of the sleeve 12 and plug 26.

The retainer 44 is formed from a relatively durable material thatincludes at least a property of moisture resistance. In one embodimentthe material is a plastic material, for example, polyethylene, althoughmetal, wood, rubber or other suitable materials may be substituted. Theretainer 44 is molded or otherwise formed, such as for example stamped,punched, extruded, cut, etc. In some embodiments, the retainer 44 issubstantially disc-shaped while in other embodiments other shapes suchas part spherical, square, triangular, pentagonal, lenticular, etc. canbe substituted without departure from the scope of the disclosurehereof. Ultimately any shape capable of being positioned relative to thesleeve 12 and plug 26 that will prevent or substantially deter plug 26exit from the sleeve 12 is contemplated. As shown in FIG. 3, theretainer 44 is configured such that an outer periphery 46 of theretainer 44 engages the threads 22 of the sleeve 12 when the retainer 44is inserted into the sleeve 12. It is to be appreciated, however, thatin other embodiments the periphery 46 of the retainer 44 mayfrictionally engage a thread 22 crest to secure the retainer 44 in thesleeve 12.

Some embodiments of the retainer 44 include a protrusion 48 extendingout of a plane defined by the periphery 46 of the retainer 44 which insome embodiments is located substantially at a center 50 of the retainer44. As shown, the protrusion 48 may be frustoconically shaped. In otherembodiments the protrusion 48 may have other shapes, for example, asshown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 48 may be at least part spherical.Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments the retainer 44 includes one ormore fingers 50 extending outwardly from a center portion 52 of theretainer 44. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the retainer 44 includes fourfingers 50 equally spaced around the retainer 44. It is to beappreciated that in other embodiments, other quantities of fingers 50may be included, for example, three, six or eight fingers 50. Thefingers 50 make the outer periphery 46 of the retainer 44 more pliableallowing for surer engagement of the retainer 44 to the helical threads22 of the sleeve 12. In addition, because structure of the fingers 50necessarily form a break in the material, the crossing of threads 22 ofthe sleeve 12 by the retainer 44 is not required. Rather, the fingers 50can each fully engage in a thread 22 trough without extending over athread 22 crest. The fingers 50 further decrease an amount of forcenecessary to set the plug 26 with the retainer 44 installed relative toa retainer 44 without fingers 50. The astute reader will also appreciatebased upon the foregoing that a single break in the periphery 46 of theretainer 44 will also achieve the result of full engagement andavoidance of thread 22 crest crossing.

Referring now to FIG. 6, some embodiments of the drop-in anchor 10 areconfigured to be installed by a unique installation tool 54. Theinstallation tool 54 includes a drill bit 56. The drill bit 56 includesa shaft 58 disposed at a connection end 60, which is configured to beinstalled in a chuck (not shown) of, for example, a conventional rotaryhammer drill (not shown). A drill end 62 is configured as a drill, witha pointed tip 64 and flutes 66. A bit collar 68 is located between thedrill end 62 and the connection end 60.

The installation tool 54 includes a tool sleeve 70 which is securableover the drill bit 56 and includes a tool pocket 76 at a first end 78 ofthe tool sleeve 70. The tool pocket 76 is a substantially tubular, andin some embodiments, cylindrical structure into which the drill bit 56is insertable and securable. To secure the tool sleeve 70 to the drillbit 56, some embodiments include one or more elements at the bit collar68, for example, one or more slots 72 which are engageable with one ormore protrusions 74 (pins, bars, etc.) of the tool sleeve 70 extendinginwardly into the tool pocket 76. The one or more slots 72 may be of anyshape along their length so as promote retention of the one or moreprotrusions 74 therein, for example, j-shaped, z-shaped, s-shaped, etc.In some embodiments, the protrusion and slot arrangement may besubstantially reversed, with the protrusions 74 extending outwardly fromthe bit collar 68 and receivable in a slot 72 disposed in the toolsleeve 70. While one slot 72 is shown, it is to be appreciated thatother quantities of slots 72 and protrusions 74, for example, two, threeor more slots 72 and protrusions 74 may be used. Further, someembodiments include a biasing member 94 located in the tool pocket 76 tobias the drill bit 56 away from the tool sleeve 70 to aid in securingthe protrusions 74 in the slots 72. The biasing member 94 shown is ablock of resilient material, for example, rubber. It is to beappreciated that other types of biasing members 94, for example, aspring located in the tool pocket 76 are also contemplated within thepresent scope. While a protrusion and slot connection arrangementbetween the tool sleeve 70 and the drill bit 56 is described herein, itis merely exemplary and other connection arrangements are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. The tool sleeve 70 includesa setting tool tip 80 located at a second end 82 of the tool sleeve 70.The tool tip 80 is, when the tool sleeve 70 is installed over the drillbit 56, used to drive the plug 26 into the installed position 40 thusexpanding the sleeve 12.

The installation tool 54 is utilized to install a drop-in anchor 10 asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Initially, the shaft 58 is installed into andsecured to the chuck. The drill bit 56 is then utilized to drill a hole84 sized to receive the drop-in anchor 10.

Once the drop-in anchor 10 is inserted into the hole 84, the plug 26must be driven into the installed position 40, which causes the sleeveto expand and engage a wall 86 of the hole 84. The tool sleeve 70 isthen installed over the drill bit 56 by inserting the drill bit 56 intothe tool pocket 76 and inserting the protrusions 74 into the slots 72 tosecure the tool sleeve 70 over the drill bit 56. In some embodiments,when the protrusions 74 are engaged in the slots 72, the bit collar 68seats on a tool sleeve flange 100. The plug 26 is driven into theinstalled position 40 by utilizing the installation tool 54 in thisconfiguration via the tool tip 80. To drive the plug 26 into theinstalled position 40, force is transferred through the drill bit 56 aninto the tool sleeve via the collar 70 and tool sleeve flange 100 to thetool tip 80 which acts on the plug 26. The installation tool 54disclosed herein requires only installing the installation tool 54 intothe chuck a single time during the installation process and allows thehole 84 to be drilled by the drill bit 56 then the drop in anchor 10installed using the tool sleeve 70 without installing a second tool inthe chuck, for a simpler, faster installation process requiring lesstime for tool changeover between drilling the hole 84 and setting theplug 26.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the sleeve 12 includes one ormore raised elements, for example, castelations 92 at an exterior of thethreaded end 24. FIG. 9 illustrates four castelations 92 equally spacedaround the threaded end 24, but it is to be appreciated that otherembodiments of the drop-in anchor 10 may utilize other quantities and/orspacing of the castelations 92. Prior to driving the plug 26 to theinstalled position, for example, at manufacture of the sleeve 12, atleast a portion of the sleeve 12 including the castelations 92 arecoated with a coating having a color that contrasts with a color of thebase material of the sleeve 12. In some embodiments, the coating is ablue paint. It is to be appreciated, however, that the use of blue paintis merely exemplary, and that other colors of paint and/or other typesof coatings may be utilized. When the plug 26 is driven to the installedposition, bit tip 80 is of a length such that when the plug 26 attainsthe installed position 40, a bit shoulder 102 is configured to come intocontact with the castelations 92. As the bit shoulder 102 rotatesrelative to the sleeve via action of the rotary hammer drill, or thelike, while in contact with the castelations 92, the coating is abradedfrom the castelations to reveal the sleeve 12 color beneath the coating.Removal of the coating by the bit shoulder 102 serves as a visualindicator to an observer that the drop-in anchor 10 is engaged in themasonry. In other embodiments, the visual indicator may be, for example,deformation of the raised elements by the installation tool or a changein color of a coating applied to the raised elements from contact with areactionary coating on the setting tool, or a heated element on thesetting tool, for example.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A drop-in anchor assembly comprising: atubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internalthreads, and an expandable second end; a plug insertable in the sleevesuch that when the plug is driven into an installed position in thesleeve the second end expands; and a retainer formed of a durablemoisture-resistant material insertable in the sleeve behind the plug,the retainer configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or morethreads and to prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve,the retainer including a contiguous annular outer periphery and one ormore fingers extending substantially radially outwardly from the outerperiphery, wherein each of the one or more fingers is configured toengage a thread trough of the threads without extending over a threadcrest of the threads.
 2. The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1, whereinthe one or more fingers is four fingers.
 3. The drop-in anchor assemblyof claim 1, wherein the retainer includes an out of plane protrusion. 4.The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion isfrustoconically shaped.
 5. The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 3,wherein the protrusion is at least part spherically shaped.
 6. Thedrop-in anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is disposedat a center of the retainer.
 7. The drop-in anchor assembly of claim 1,wherein the retainer is formed from polyethylene.
 8. The drop-in anchorassembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more fingers are more pliablethan the outer periphery of the retainer.
 9. A method of assembling adrop-in anchor comprising: providing a tubular sleeve, the sleeve havinga first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandablesecond end; inserting a plug into the first end of the tubular sleeve;inserting a durable, moisture-resistant retainer into the first endbehind the plug, the durable moisture-resistant retainer including acontiguous annular outer periphery and one or more fingers extendingsubstantially radially outwardly from the outer periphery of theretainer; and engaging the one or more fingers with the threads toprevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve, each of the oneor more fingers configured to engage a thread trough of the threadswithout extending over a thread crest of the threads.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the one or more fingers is four fingers.
 11. The methodof claim 9, wherein the retainer further comprises an out of planeprotrusion.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the protrusion isfrustoconically shaped.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein theprotrusion is at least part spherically shaped.
 14. The method of claim11, wherein the protrusion is disposed at a center of the retainer. 15.The method of claim 9, wherein the retainer is formed from polyethylene.16. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more fingers are morepliable than the outer periphery of the retainer.